Mat

Latos

Latos got tagged for a three-spot in the first inning before serving up a two-run bomb to Carlos Beltran in the second. His latest poor outing brings his ERA to 8.22 through his first 15 1/3 Reds innings, while he’s sporting an equally horrendous 1.89 WHIP and 11/8 K/BB ratio. Typically a poor April pitcher before settling down in May, Latos will get the Giants at home next week.

Latos escaped with a no-decision, but has now failed to turn in quality starts in four of his first five outings. He’s the owner of a 5.97 ERA and 1.57 WHIP as a result. He’s struck out just 18 batters in 28 2/3 innings. Latos has a plus matchup lined up for the weekend, however, where he’ll take on the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

Latos struggled with his command the majority of the game, walking five and needing 109 pitches to make it through the fifth inning. But he operated well in damage control and lowered his ERA from 4.93 to 4.54. He’ll look to get back in the win column when he battles the Mets in New York on Thursday. The Reds lost Saturday’s game against the Nationals 2-1.

He didn’t strike out a batter, but it was a nice debut for the new Reds hurler. Latos figures to serve up a few more longballs in 2012 while making the transition from Petco Park to Great American Ballpark, but his good control and ability to miss bats should allow him to succeed anywhere.

Latos lowered his ERA today, but he wasn’t exactly sharp. He walked three and struck out just one in the 99-pitch outing. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong physically, so it’s likely just a matter of him finding his groove.

He struck out just three, but we’ll forgive him for that after he put up easily his best start of his Reds career. Latos picked up his first win and lowered his ERA to 5.64 and WHIP to 1.57. Traditionally a poor April performer, this could be the beginning of a nice stretch for the youngster.

He added four strikeouts and one walk. He had looked fairly overpowering this spring before Sunday’s letdown. Hopefully his previously ailing calf was not an issue.

The owner of a 5.73 ERA in 70 2/3 career April innings, perhaps Latos just needed the calendar to flip. The stellar outing lowered his ERA from 5.97 to 4.93, while he’s now the owner of a 1.44 WHIP and 29/13 K/BB ratio through 34 2/3 innings. Latos will look to get on a roll against the Nationals at home next weekend.

Latos exited his last outing with a left calf strain, but he said shortly afterward that he was fine and expected to make his next start. It appears it’s still up in the air, though. “He has to let us know how his health is,” Baker said. “It makes it tough when you start the year with an injury. Over the course of the season, something is going to hurt.” If the righty doesn’t take the ball Sunday, his status for the start of the season would have to be in question.

Reds manager Dusty Baker previously indicated that Latos wasn’t a sure thing for Sunday, but evidently he’ll be cleared, assuming he gets through Friday’s session alright. He’ll be fine for the start of the season unless he has a setback.